Why a "Wing Run"? Published April 4, 2007 By Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux 82nd Training Wing commander SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- April 4 was a day we all looked forward to - it was the day of the 82 TRW "Wing Run." OK, maybe not all of you, but I'm guessing there's a sizeable percentage of our base populace that enjoys working out with your unit - in this case the whole wing. Undeniably, "fit to fight" has become ingrained into our AF culture. Unit-level PT workouts, on duty time, are a normal part of our AF life. Our fitness centers are packed to capacity. You can find runners on our track nearly every hour of the day or night. And PT is not just for uniformed Airmen, but I've authorized up to 3 hours per week of on-duty time for our AF civilians, with their supervisor's permission. Being "Fit to Fight" is not just about passing the PT test once a year, it's about being fit 365 days a year and engaging in a regular strenuous workout program - at least 3 times per week. As busy as my schedule is as wing CC, I try to schedule PT nearly every day. If it's a choice between lunch or a workout, a workout always wins. And nobody should be satisfied with "barely" passing their annual test. An Airmen, NCO or officer who hovers year after year just above "Marginal" needs to work harder. "Excellence in all we do" applies to fitness, just like every other area of performance. Why all the AF emphasis on fitness? Four reasons. First, as expeditionary Airmen, we need to be in shape to be ready to deploy and perform in strenuous environments. Unfortunately, we've seen a few recent examples of folks who failed their PT test, later "failing" in the deployed environment and being sent home because they lacked the strength or endurance to get the job done. Second, being fit improves your image. For me, the fitness test is my "eyeball test." If you've got a high fit score, with solid scores in push-ups/crunches, run time and waistline, and your hair and uniform are within standards, then in my opinion, you've got a good image. Period. Third, fit to fight means a longer, higher-quality life. Those who work out regularly live longer and feel better. And a healthier force (especially in retirement) means TRICARE will eat up less of our DoD budget and allow more funds for securing our nation. Finally, a culture of fitness promotes team building and morale. Unit workouts and sports days are a great opportunity to build relationships and teamwork within a squadron. Most of you have experienced this personally and will agree. So let Wednesday's wing run be another motivator for you to strap on fitness as a 365-day-a-year proposition. I need all of you to be fit, so you can better take care of your people, your families, and our mission. Thanks Team Sheppard and have a happy, safe Easter Weekend. ______________________________________________ From: Devereaux, Richard T BrigGen 82 TRW/CC Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:32 AM To: All E-Mail Users (Sheppard AFB) Subject: 82 TRW/CC Weekly Article - 4 Apr 2007 Team Sheppard: This article is primarily directed to 82 TRW folks, but I'm sure Col Kendall shares similar sentiment for the 80th. Your answers to last week's Question of the Week on fitness led me to write this. I'd encourage you to read it! Thanks, and please have a safe Easter Weekend. If you're driving a long distance, be rested and pull over if you get sleepy. Brig Gen Devereaux Why a "Wing Run"? Today is the day we all look forward to--it's the day of the 82 TRW "Wing Run." OK, maybe not all of you, but I'm guessing there's a sizeable percentage of our base populace that enjoys working out with your unit--in this case the whole wing. Undeniably "fit to fight" has become ingrained into our AF culture. Unit-level PT workouts, on duty time, are a normal part of our AF life. Our fitness centers are packed to capacity. You can find runners on our track nearly every hour of the day or night. And PT is not just for uniformed Airmen, but I've authorized up to 3 hours per week of on-duty time for our AF civilians, with their supervisor's permission. Being "Fit to Fight" is not just about passing the PT test once a year, it's about being fit 365 days a year and engaging in a regular strenuous workout program--at least 3 times per week. As busy as my schedule is as wing CC, I try to schedule PT nearly every day. If it's a choice between lunch or a workout, a workout always wins. And nobody should be satisfied with "barely" passing their annual test. An Airmen, NCO, or officer who hovers year after year just above "Marginal" needs to work harder. "Excellence in all we do" applies to fitness, just like every other area of performance. Why all the AF emphasis on fitness? Four reasons. First, as expeditionary Airmen we need to be in shape to be ready to deploy and perform in strenuous environments. Unfortunately, we've seen a few recent examples of folks who failed their PT test, later "failing" in the deployed environment and being sent home because they lacked the strength or endurance to get the job done. Second, being fit improves your image. For me, the fitness test is my "eyeball test." If you've got a high fit score, with solid scores in push-ups/crunches, run time, and waistline, and your hair and uniform are within standards, then in my opinion, you've got a good image. Period. Third, fit to fight means a longer, higher-quality life. Those who work out regularly, live longer, and feel better. And a healthier force (especially in retirement) means TRICARE will eat up less of our DoD budget and allow more funds for securing our nation. Finally, a culture of fitness promotes team building and morale. Unit workouts and sports days are a great opportunity to build relationships and teamwork within a squadron. Most of you have experienced this personally and will agree. So let today's wing run be another motivator for you to strap on fitness as a 365-day-a-year proposition. I need all of you to be fit, so you can better take care of your people, your families, and our mission. Thanks Team Sheppard and have a happy, safe Easter Weekend.